EXCLUSIVE | Jaswant Singh Gill's daughter Hina Gill on Mission Raniganj: 'No one could've been my dad but Akshay Kumar'

Hindi cinema continues to tell untold stories of unsung heroes that always deserved to be celebrated and be inspired by. The recent example is the film Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue that stars Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra in lead roles. It also stars fine talents like Ravi Kishan, Pawan Malhotra, Kumud Mishra, Jameel Khan, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya. It’s directed by Tinu Suresh Desai, who made Rustom back in 2016, another film based on a true story. His next film seven years later is about the man we all know as Jaswant Gill aka Capsule Gill. If one sees the the trailer, or the movie that’s now running in cinemas, it’s about the story of 65 workers trapped in a mine 350 feet below ground level. It’s also the story of Jaswant Gill, who single-handedly rescued all of them in what remains the nation’s biggest rescue operation. What exactly happened? On 13 November 1989, a series of blasts broke the Mahabir Colliery in Raniganj, West Bengal, when someone accidentally touched the upper seam of the mine, which led to heavy flooding, according to reports. How did the rescue operation take place? What was the plan Jaswant Singh Gill executed? How did he succeed? All the answers lie in the film that has opened to glowing reviews. And in an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Jaswant Singh Gill’s children- Dr. Sarpreet Singh Gill, Randip Singh Gill, Hina Gill, and daughter-in-law Harminder Gill, opened up on the bravery and fearlessness of the man, the rescue operation planned and executed by him, and their reaction on a film being made on their father and Akshay Kumar essaying this role. Edited excerpts from the interview This is still India’s biggest rescue operation, Jaswant Singh Gill rescued over 65 miners. While you were growing up, what did he tell you about this incident that you would like to share. Dr. Sarpreet Singh: Being a very humble and down-to-earth person, he hardly ever had this notion that he had done something great or outstanding. He taught us to be brave, selfless and always help people that are in need. He even risked his life for others and these are the same values that he instilled into us, and as we grew up, they only became stronger. What do you feel is the importance of telling this incident to the people through a film? Dr. Sarpreet: The world will realise there are unsung heroes that have been completely neglected from the society, their stories never came out, they have been hidden somewhere. A lot of people will learn the meaning of how to be selflessly brave, helping humanity and people when they need help. This will influence generations to come and help other unsung heroes of our nation. We will have more movies on such people, and the way _Mission Raniganj_ has shaped up is absolutely incredible. Harminder Gill, (Jaswant Gill’s daughter-in-law), can you share some anecdotes about your interactions with Jaswant Gill and your memories of him? My perception of him was that he was extremely simple and had very good values, and was very disciplined and a genius. The capsule that he envisaged was something he thought of right at that moment. He was a mastermind with very simple living and very noble thoughts. Randip Gill (Jaswant Singh’s younger son), the incident happened back in 1989. In these 34 years, was there anyone that showed interest to make a film on his heroism? Unfortunately no. The first person that approached us was Tinu Desai, the director of the movie, and it was such a pleasant and surprising moment for all of us. At first, we thought it was a joke. We met in Amritsar and that was the first time anyone approached us, he stuck to the story for six years and has done complete justice to it and to the man. Hina Gill (Jaswant Gill’s daughter), what was your reaction when you came to know Akshay Kumar would be playing the role of your father, and when you saw the trailer? I was very happy and it was a dream come true to know Akshay Kumar would play the role of my dad. I’m speechless to be honest. The movie was too good, he played it so well, he put all his emotions and gave his best. Nobody could’ve played this role better than Akshay Kumar. When the film was being made, was there any inputs from anyone of you? Randip Gill: Tinu Desai was so deep into the study that we had nothing to explain to him. He already knew the minute details and everything about my father.

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